Monday, October 31, 2016

Halloween Toy Review: Pumpkin King Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction by Funko

Happy Halloween!
 
Trick 'r Treat is both one of my favorite horror and Halloween films, and I absolutely love Sam, but I'm not sure I really want to see him become the unofficial symbol of Halloween when we already have guy who has been around for 20+ years as the Pumpkin King: Jack Skellington! Yeah, he dabbled in Christmas a bit, but I really think that Jack Skellington should be the mascot of Halloween. I honestly cannot even begin to describe the mixture of utter fascination mixed with a bit of dread that I experienced when I saw The Nightmare Before Christmas as a child. The first 10 minutes of the movie is quite possibly one of the greatest things ever put to film and is just absolutely wonderful. It's amazing that I can watch that scene 20+ years later and still be as in awe of it now as I was as a kid. A huge part of that has to do with the amazing first appearance of Jack in his guise of the Pumpkin King. I am absolutely in love with this character design! Series 2 of Funko's Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction line has started hitting stores this past month and Pumpkin Jack is the first figure I'll be looking at. Ready for a closer look? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror: Halloween Batgirl from DC Bombshells by DC Collectibles

  Happy Halloween! Today as part of the final day of 31 Days of Toy Terror for Halloween 2016 I've got something really special for you: Halloween Batgirl from DC Collectibles' DC Bombshells. I love the Bombshells property; I've collected the Lil Bombshells, read the comics, and I reviewed the Batgirl Bombshells statue back when it was released in 2014. I have to admit that I didn't think very highly of it that piece. I've started collecting some of my favorites of the Bombshells statues and still I just don't like that Batgirl very much. Fortunately, DC Collectibles has kind of given Babs a second chance in the form of this new, updated Halloweem Batgirl statue. Not only has Batgirl been given a new orange and black paint scheme but she's received a new backpack and a new headsculpt that captures the look of a piece of vintage Halloween pinup art quite nicely. Mix together Halloween and Batgirl and you probably new I'd be picking this up, eh? If she had a pumpkin standing on her base, I'm not sure this could have been any better. Ever since this piece was announced I knew it would be the crowning jewel of this Halloween 2016 countdown. Let's take a closer look at her after the break...

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Classic Hokey Halloween Horror: Tombstones of Halloweens Past


I wrote this piece in 2013 and it's about some Halloween memories that involve my grandma. She passed away in 2014 and now this piece seems even more special!
  
  Tombstones are always super fun to put in your yard, unless they're really marking the graves of beloved pets or freeloading relatives who didn't plan ahead.  Anyways, here are some fun gravestones that I made as a kid with help from various relatives.  In the picture above are some tombstones that date back to 1987 (although the dates fool you into thinking they're older) and were made with the help of my Grandma (the same Grandma who dressed up like Skeletor to play He-Man with me).  Looking at these, they're pretty honest and regular.  Usually gravestones used for decoration have silly little sayings on them or the names of movie monsters; these ones apparently served to educate kids about the harsh realities of life before the discovery of penicillin.  They also helped me to become an expert at the Oregon Trail in computer class.  More Hokey Halloween Horror after the break....


Hell in a Cell 2016 Special: Braun Strowman from WWE Elite Series by Mattel

   It's Halloween Eve (so All Hallows Eve Eve) and guess what I'm doing? Getting ready to watch some Hell in a Cell, baby! Tonight is the WWE Raw Hell in a Cell 2016 event and to commemorate this, I'm doing a special review of someone who may or may not be in the event: Braun Strowman. I've written a number of these special Halloween reviews a good bit in advance (I think I started in late June or early July this year) and I'm writing this one about 1 week and 1/2 prior to the event, so not everything on the card has been announced yet. Considering the run that Braun Strowman has had lately, I wouldn't be surprised if he does get a match. Strowman is a beast and WWE finally seems to be using him in a way that makes sense lately. This is the first Elite Braun Strowman figure Mattel has released and it's part of series 44. I'm a huge fan of the Wyatts and, while Braun isn't really with them right now, this figure represents the time when he debuted with them as Sister Abigail's black sheep. Let's take a closer look at the Abominable Strowman after the break...

Action Figure Review: Nico Minoru (Mystic Rivals) from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 Off the bat, I'll let you in on a little secret: I had no idea who Nico Minoru was until I saw this figure released as part of the Doctor Strange themed Marvel Legends series. Sold as one of Hasbro's 'non-variant' variants alongside Enchantress (Mystic Rivals), Nico is an incredibly powerful witch who has been part of the Runaways and A-Force in the little over a decade that she's been around. This as absolutely a figure I picked up simply because of how cool she is. She kind of strikes me as a mixture between Cassie Hack, Lydia Deetz, and a Hot Topic employee. The amount of extras such as an interchangeable magic imbued arm and an energy effect also make this one stand out. Let's take a closer look at Ms. Minoru after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: The Nocturnal Barrow-Wight from Middle-Earth Toys by Toy Vault

   Today on "31 Days of Toy Terror Lives" we'll be visiting the haunted lands east of the shire known as the Barrow-Downs or Tyrn Gorthad, haunted by the Draugr-like creatures known as the Barrow-wights. Hailing from one of the creepiest segments of The Lord of the Rings, the barrow-wights are evil spirits that have reawakened ancient bones resting in the cairns and harass the Hobbits as the make their way towards Bree. This figure was released in September of 2000 as part of the last series of figures from Middle-Earth Toys and is inspired by the books by J.R.R. Tolkien (and not the Peter Jackson films). There were a few variants of this figure and this version, the Nocturnal Barrow-wight, was a Diamond Comics exclusive. This was a really cool line of action figures that sadly didn't last very long (only nine separate releases, not including variants) and I'd love to see another company take a stab at the property. These was a lot of thought put into each release and you can tell there was a lot of love, too. It's very cool to see that the packaging for these included not only quotes from the books but also credits for the creators of the toys. I love Toy Biz's movie based The Lord of the Rings line but it's pretty cool to have a unique take on characters from the books, too. Let's delve into some spookiness with the Nocturnal Barrow-Wight, shall we? More horror after the break...

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Toy Bloggers United Contest Part 5: October 29th Edition: What Toy Scared You as a Kid?

This is it! We're only two days away from Halloween and it's time for your fifth and final entry in the super spooky Toy Bloggers United October 2016 Contest! Remember that all you have to do to win is leave a comment on one of the five posts (leave one on all five for five chances to win) by 8am on Nov 1st EST.

 Since we're toy bloggers, today we want to ask you about the toys that scared you as a kid! Here's mine:
Image courtesy of the Ghostbusters Wiki



Yup. The Ghostbusters ghost zapper. As much as it pains me to admit it, as a kid I was afraid of some ghosts. A few of the ghosts from this toy in particular. You see, this wasn't just a toy Ghostbusters weapon: It actually functioned as a projector of sorts that allowed the spooky spirits to show up on your walls before you pushed the button to bust them. I was pretty young when I wanted this toy (maybe 3) and the ghosts on this thing terrified me!

Image courtesy of the Ghostbusters Wiki

Here are the images of the ghosts from the viewmaster like reel. If I can recall correctly, the offending images were Gozer (3rd from the top left), the skull (2nd from top right), and the terror dog (top right). Apparently after getting the toy, having asked my parents for it enthusiastically, I brought it to them and told them it needed to be returned to the store. My parents couldn't figure out why I was requesting that and began to play with it, eventually realizing that I bolted behind our old tan recliner whenever certain ghosts popped up. My dad took his picket knife and cut out the terrifying images, thus rendering the toy safe for me! I've collected some way spookier stuff since then, but this toy still stands out as something spooky from my childhood.

What toy scared you as a kid? Let us know in the comments below to be entered into a contest for an amazing surprise prize package with cool stuff from the Harvey Mercheum, Cool & Collected, your old pal Barbecue17! Also, check out the past four weeks! It's not to late to comment on these and get more chances to win! Remember the contest ends on Nov 1st at 8am EST, so comment now!

Contest Post #1: When did you realize you still loved Halloween?
Contest Post #2: Have you ever dressed up as a favorite toy for Halloween? 
Contest Post #3: Halloween Nostalgia 
Contest Post #4: The Perfect House for Trick 'r Treating

Action Figure Review: Enchantress (Mystic Rivals) from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 Marvel collectors have wanted Enchantress to be releases in the Marvel Legends line for quite some time. Alas, Hasbro has answered their cries and we now have a 6 inch scaled version of one of Thor's main foes: The sorceress Amora, also know as the Enchantress! (Unfortunately, nobody has yet announced a DC Comics Enchantress, and thus our Suicide Squad movie roster is incomplete!) Actually, Hasbro has released two version of the Enchantress this year: This version from the Doctor Strange themed series and a version that came with the SDCC 2016 "The Raft" exclusive set. If you didn't pick up that six figure set and just wanted one Enchantress you're in luck, as I believe the only real differences in this set are some very minor paint differences. Considering that you can pick this figure up for as low as $16 bucks (that's how much my Amazon preorder was) she should make a lot of people happy. Yeah, she's one of those weird Hasbro "non-variant variants" that feel like they really serve no purpose. Both Enchantress and Nico Mindru are sold as "Mystic Rivals" while a modern comic Doctor Strange and Brother Voodoo are sold as "Masters of Magic." Why not just call them by their actual names and save everyone the confusion? Let's just look at the toy before my sanity flies out the window!

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Snoopy #330 from Peanuts from Pop! Television by Funko

  OK, I'll admit that today's installment of 31 Days of Toy Terror isn't really terrifying by any stretch of the imagination. It's totally adorable, though, and is an excellent representative of the Halloween season: It's Snoopy as the World War I flying ace from It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! This Walgreen's exclusive series of POP! figures has been one of the coolest treats of Halloween 2016 and I'm really glad to be sharing another figure from this series on the site. Snoopy is pretty much the cutest animated dog ever and a true icon in comics and animation. Let's take a look at the world's most popular beagle after the break...

2 Days Until Halloween!


Friday, October 28, 2016

Minifigure Review: Catwoman from DC Comics Lil Bombshells by Cryptozoic Entertainment

 While these reviews may get mixed up a bit due to Halloween, Catwoman is the final figure I needed from this series to end up with all 10 of the individual Bombshells. Known as Selina Digatti in the Bobmshells, this figure perfectly represents the feline femme fatale. She's a fairly elaborate minifigure with lots of unique design elements that make her really appealing. Let's take a closer look at this black cat, shall we? Join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Fuminoid from Trash Bag Bunch by Galoob

 Today as part of 31 Days of Toy Terror I have a spooky skeleton for you! He's not your average skeleton, though: This guy seems to be made of various mechanical parts! He's called Fuminoid and he's from Galoob's Trash Bag Bunch minifigure toyline. I just picked him up in August and, as soon as I opened him, I knew he was a perfect addition to the sheer since of dread and horror that is 31 Days of Toy Terror Lives! Plus, I photographed him in front of some pumpkins and a toxic waste barrel. Ooohh!!! If you've got the guts join me after the break as we take a closer look at Fuminoid!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Action Figure Review: Night Stalker from Masters of the Universe Classics by Mattel

 While we're less than three months away from Mattel and MattyCollector abandoning Masters of the Universe Classics (although Super7 will be picking up their slack) it's refreshing to see that one more steed has made it into the line: Night Stalker, the Evil Armored Battle Steed. Night Stalker was available in the vintage line and he, along with his heroic counterpart Stridor (who is exactly the same as Night Stalker with a different color scheme), seemed to be toys that everyone owned. While I don't have my vintage Night Stalker any longer, I do have a vintage Stridor. Of course, that doesn't mean much since it's Night Stalker who is getting an overview today. The Evil Warriors have definitely been light on vehicles and support so it's good to add this mechanical steed to that faction. More vintage inspired fun after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror: Black Falcon (Midnight Special) from The Worst by Super7

One of the cool things about Super7's The Worst is that these original creations feel like they could belong in any number of other vintage Kenner inspired toylines. Today I'm checking out Black Falcon, the Undead Warlord of Doom who looks like he would be at home in a session of Dungeons and Dragons or in a battle with Ash. As part of the Midnight Special series of figures, available on Super7's website only as a full set of 6, this version of Black Falcon features black and bronze armor, as opposed to the red and gold armor of the standard release. Ready for a closer look at the skeletal warlord that is Black Falcon? Then join me after the break...

4 Days Until Halloween!


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Action Figure Review: General Sundar from Masters of the Universe Classics by Mattel

 It feels like it's been forever since I last reviewed a Masters of the Universe Classics figure but in reality it's only been a little over two months. While I received General Sunder here (the packaging calls him General Sundar, but that's either a copyright issue or a misspelling: He's always been Sunder) back in September, I'm only now getting the chance to review him. General Sunder is a great character who had two very strong appearances in She-Ra: Princess of Power. While he serves the Horde initially, he eventually turns his back on Hordak's evil army and takes up arms against them. He's also a dedicated and honorable family man. There have been a number of collectors who have desperately wanted this figure and I'm glad they're finally getting a chance to get him. Let's check him out after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Sewerbat from Trash Bag Bunch by Galoob

 Parts are absolutely a staple of Halloween decorations and tradition so today I'm looking at a bat of some sort: The Sewerbat from Trash Bag Bunch! He's a muscular, red and yellow bat armed with a faucet and pipe combination. Pretty slick right? Well, to be honest, this guy is kind of a mixed bag. He honestly doesn't even look like he belongs in this series of figures. Catch more discussion about Sewerbat than you ever thought was possible after the break...

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Classic Hokey Halloween Horror: Haunt the Halls! Green Glittery Owl



I bought this for my daughter two weeks after she was born in 2013! Guess what? She still always keeps it hanging on her bedroom door!

Looking to improve your home on a budget? For $1.97 you can begin to spookify your home, turning it from a mundane residence into a domestic domicile of doom!  What do you need to complete your look?  How about a freaking glittery owl.  Those guys creep people, constantly steal Tootsie Pops from kids, and are never what they seem.  Owls are also a great Halloween decorative item because while they're spooky, they're a bit more tasteful than fake tombstones or a bloody scarecrow in your yard, which means you can begin using them to decorate as early as August (or late July if you're really in the Halloween spirit) without the neighbors complaining.    


Action Figure Review: Croc from DC Comics Multiverse: Suicide Squad by Mattel

 Today I'm looking Killer Croc (or just Croc, as the package calls him), the Build-a-Figure from the Suicide Squad subset of Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse line. Croc is one of the core team members in the film and a decent choice for a Build-a-Figure (well, Collect & Connect as Mattel calls them) due to his bulkiness. Croc was played in the film by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and I thought he was one of the high points of the film. Suicide Squad seemed like a pretty divisive film, but I really liked it and I was a sucker for the toyline. While a number of more high end companies like Mezco, DCC, Bandai, and Medicom are planning to release figures from the film, Mattel got theirs out first and struck while the iron was hot. I managed to pick up every 6 inch figure in this line except for the SDCC exclusive 2-pack of Joker and Panda Man, so I was able to build the Ultimate Croc. Like with  Batman's Grapnel Blaster from the Batman v. Superman line, Mattel included some variant parts with the retail exclusive figures. You can build a standard shirtless Croc if you pick up the 6 main figures, but if you add on the two Toys 'R Us exclusives and the Amazon exclusive Harley Quinn you can add on Croc's hoodie and jacket. I have all nine of those figures, so that's what you're seeing today. Ready for a closer look at Croc? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase II by Hasbro

 For today's installment of 31 Days of toy terror I'm looking at something a bit different: Jabba the Hutt from Hasbro's Star Wars: The Black Series! Originally released as an SDCC exclusive in 2014 Jabba also made his way to regular retail shelves later on. Jabba the Hutt has always been one of my favorite Star Wars characters as even though he largely just sits around doing nothing, he still comes across as a menacing being. I love the creature effects in Return of the Jedi and Jabba's Palace has always been one of my favorite scenes. Jabba is an amazing movie monster that still holds up well (much better than the computer generated versions from thee various special editions of A New Hope) and I decided to give him a spot on 31 Days of Toy Terror. Enjoy!

6 Days Until Halloween!


Monday, October 24, 2016

Action Figure Review: Martial Artist from Imaginext: Collectible Figures Series 7 by Fisher-Price

   Today I'm looking at....I think he's called the Martial Artist. Or the Chinese Warrior. Or the Samurai. Since Fisher-Price doesn't give the blind-bagged figures official names (they sometimes have a name that shows up in inventory systems) these figures typically just get basic descriptive names. I'm calling this guy the Martial Artist, as many other Imaginext fans seem to be doing. Want to take a look a this cool guy? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Hospital Doors from The Walking Dead Construction Sets by McFarlane Toys

 Who did Negan Kill on the Walking Dead season premiere? I don't know: I'm about 4 season behind! Ready for another spooky building set review instead? Today I'm kind of transporting you back to Halloween night 2010 when AMC's The Walking Dead first premiered. It might be a bit of a horror trope at this point but it's still a really effective beginning to have a character wake up in a medical setting and learn, by themselves, that the world has fallen apart. McFarlane Toys has chosen to capture this moment from the first episode quite nicely in this small building set that was released in 2015. While the fate of future sets seems rather uncertain, let's give this one a closer look, shall we?

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Toy Bloggers United Contest Part 4: October 23rd Edition: The Perfect House for Trick 'R Treating!

Sorry everyone! I totally realized that I didn't schedule this contest post which should have hit yesterday, October 22nd. This week we're asking you to describe the perfect house for trick 'r treating. Some houses are content to just open the door and hand you a Snickers bar. Others go all out. What makes a house better for Trick 'r Treating than others? Here are my thoughts, but I want to hear your own!


Step 1: Decorate! If the house is decorated, I'm already a bit more excited about this. The more decorations the better. The thing with Halloween decorations is that there really isn't any way to mess them up. Lots of over the top decorations look good. So do a few cheap decorations. There's really no way to mess things up.




Step 2: Wear a costume! Seriously, there is nothing more fun than Trick 'r Treating at a house where the homeowners are wearing a costume. It's what makes even a modestly decorated home go from a experience to a full on Halloween bonding session. Personally, I liked houses that tried to scare me. Those were the best.



What makes the perfect Trick 'r Treating stop for you? Let us know in the comments below to be entered into a contest for an amazing surprise prize package with cool stuff from the Harvey Mercheum, Cool & Collected, your old pal Barbecue17, and this creepy guy who lives in my neighborhood who shows up to my door and threatens to give me the hose if I don't let him borrow some lotion! Also, check out the past three weeks! It's not to late to comment there and get more chances to win!

Contest Post #1: When did you realize you still loved Halloween?
Contest Post #2: Have you ever dressed up as a favorite toy for Halloween? 
Contest Post #3: Halloween Nostalgia

Action Figure Review: Katana from DC Comics Multiverse: Suicide Squad by Mattel

 Today I'm finally able to review the last standard figure from Mattel's Suicide Squad subset of their DC Comics Multiverse line: Katana. While she didn't have a huge part in the film, I really liked Karen Fukuhara's portrayal of Katana and I'm hoping she gets more screen time in the Suicide Squad sequel or even the upcoming films project that Margot Robbie's producing which focuses on Harley Quinn and a number of other DC female heroes. Katana is part of the second set of releases in this series (along with The Joker and Boomerang) and as of yet I haven't seen her in any stores; I picked mine up from Amazon. Ready for a closer look at one of the brave souls who tries to keep the Suicide Squad in line? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Junk Jackal from Trash Bag Bunch by Galoob

 While the dog is widely considered to be man's best friend (I have three dogs and I can attest for two of them all of the time and one of them about 3/4 of the time) there is definitely a fascination in horror with turning the almost sacred bond between humans and canine into something terrifying! Think of Cujo, the zombie dogs in Resident Evil, and the various tales of black dogs being harbingers of death that have existed for ages! Today I'm looking at one of the figures from Galoob's 1991 minfigure line Trash Bag Bunch: Junk Jackal! Junk Jackal is one of the figures from this series I actually owned as a kid back in the early 1990s but I recently acquired a second one to army build. If you can't tell from many of my posts over the past few months, I really, really like these guys! As part of 31 Days of Toy Terror lives, let's take a closer look at Junk Jackal after the break, shall we?

8 Days Until Halloween!


Saturday, October 22, 2016

Minifigure Review: The Flash from DC Comics Lil Bombshells by Cryptozoic Entertainment

 Today's minifigure review is another figure in the incredible Lil Bombshells series by Cryptozoic: The Flash! Yes, the Flash is now in Bombshells. It's not Barry Allen or Wally West. Or Jay Garrick, either. It's actually Jesse Chambers, AKA Jesse Quick. I think it's a pretty cool concept to have Jesse Quick take up the mantle of the Flash in a project like this. I've only finished the second volume of the actual Bombshells comic series and, so far, Jesse hasn't shown up. DC seems to really have big plans for the Bombshells, though, so I imagine we'll see her eventually. Let's take a closer look at this minifigure after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Ghostbuster from Imaginext: Collectible Figures Series 7 by Fisher-Price

 With all the spooks, spirits, and slashers taking part in 31 Days of Toy Terror, aren't you glad to have a Ghostbuster hanging around? One of the biggest surprises of Imaginext Collectible Figures series 7 is this "totally not a Ghostbuster" Ghostbuster! Imaginext does a great job of paying homage to various pop culture icons in their fun, stylized toyline and this one might just take the cake. While he doesn't look like any particular one of the Ghostbusters (I think he kind of resembles Mads Mikkelsen) his awesome equipment totally gives him away. If busting make you feel good, too, then you definitely need to check out this review...

Friday, October 21, 2016

Action Figure Review: Becky Lynch from WWE by Mattel

 Becky Lynch is currently my favorite member of the WWE Women's Division and I'm pretty happy to have finally found her figure. Becky is the first ever Smackdown Women's Champion and overall just a fantastic performer. While I'm sure she'll get an Elite series figure soon, right now this is the best we have to add the Irish Lass Kicker to our roster. How's she do? Join me after the break to find out...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: X-Cop Ghost from The Real Ghostbusters: Haunted Humans by Kenner

  Today's installment of 31 Days of Toy Terror Lives features yet another figure from Kenner's The Real Ghostbusters line: X-Cop from the Haunted Humans subset. X-Cop is a crazed skeleton disguised as a motorcycle cop. You know, looking back I had quite a few motorcycle cop action figures as a kid: The T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Eugene Tackleberry from Police Academy, Highway from C.O.P.S., and X-Cop here. And all made by Kenner, right? Interesting coincidence! Maybe there was a former motorcycle cop working for Kenner during that time who kept submitting motorcycle cop themed action figures? Anyways, let's get to the spooky and take a closer look at this vintage action figure after the break...

10 Days Until Halloween!


Thursday, October 20, 2016

Minifigure Review: Katana from DC Comics Lil Bombshells by Cryptozoic Entertainment

2016 has been a pretty good year for Katana. Not only did she appear in Suicide Squad (played by Karen Fukuhara) but she's also been featured in the very popular DC Comics Superheroes property. Seriously, you can go to McDonald's right now and get a Katana toy in your Happy Meal. That's a pretty huge step for a character who has been around since 1983 with little mainstream exposure up to now. Katana is also getting what looks to be an amazing DC Bombshells statue later this year. It's interesting that Cryptozoic put her in the Lil Bombshells line already and it makes her, along with Flash, one of the only two figures in the series based on as yet unreleased statues. That's kind of cool, really. Let's take a closer look at Katana after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Batula (Midnight Special) from The Worst by Super7

   I bet you thought the faux retro-action figure craze was over, didn't you? I know I haven't purchased one in quite some time (maybe not since last year that I can remember off hand). When Funko and Super7 started the trend with their follow through of the Alien line Kenner originally designed and tooled but never released, the faux retro craze hit and spread wide, albeit with mixed results. Now it seems to be more refined and we have an incredibly cool line of faux retro action figures with Super7's The Worst. This is a series of random villains that "kind of but not really" resemble various pop culture monstrosities and which can fit into any retro action figure collection. Currently Super7 is offering an early version of the 6 figure series with unique paint schemes called the Midnight Special Set. I picked this set up as I love this concept of a line of random villains with no context. My favorite retro action figures are on display as just a bunch of random villains hanging around, so The Worst already have a home in my collection. Ready for a closer look? Then join me after the break as we check out Batula as part of 31 Days of Toy Terror Lives!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Classic Hokey Halloween Horror! Glow in the Dark Dial!!!


    It's another classic review from Halloween 2013!

 I love Halloween so much that I'm not content with washing my hands with conventional soap during the months of September and October. I'm glad Dial finally stepped in and created a Halloween themed soap for those of us who just couldn't spend the most wonderful 1/6th of the year with a mundane bathroom routine. I'll admit that the bathroom is already one of the scariest rooms in your average house. For starters, you've got a mirror and thus the prospect of the whole "Bloody Mary" thing to deal with. Then there's showers- you're vulnerable, nude, and never know when a psycho might be standing behind the curtain waiting to take you out. Factor in stuff coming out of the toilet, the abundance of razor blades, and the prevalence of slip and fall hazards and you might be asking yourself, "Does my bathroom really need to be more frightening?" Yes. Yes it does. You can easily add to the fright level of your bathroom with a simple bottle of Dial soap that glows in the dark. More details after the break...


Road to Rogue One: Grand Moff Tarkin #159 from Pop! Star Wars by Funko

 Today I'm looking at the second exclusive Pop! figure from the September 2016 Smuggler's Bounty crate and it's Grand Moff Tarkin. Tarkin has long been one of my favorite Star Wars characters and manages to still be one of the most sinister villains in the saga. That's really saying something. All credit goes to master thespian Sir Peter Cushing who crafted one of the most genuinely evil characters to ever appear on a film screen. I mean, Tarkin is the kind of guy who doesn't flinch when it comes to blowing up an entire planet. Pure evil right there. When Funko announced that this crate's theme was going to be the Death Star, I kept hoping that Tarkin would be one of the included Pop! vinyls. I was right! Let's take a closer look at Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Headless Horseman from Imaginext: Collectible Figures Series 7 by Fisher-Price

 I feel like "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a story that most people can tell but that few people have read. I've always been a fan of the tale as far back as I can remember but I only read the book when I was in high school around the time when Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow was released (still one of my favorite Tim Burton films and horror films overall). I reread it a few years ago and it's still an amazingly haunting piece of prose that manages to be both chilling and beautifully written. That's your homework assignment for the day: Go read "The Legend of Sleep Hollow" by Washington Irving. Right now, though, we're looking at the Headless Horseman from series 7 of the blind-bagged Imaginext Collectible Figures Series. I love how random the character selection in this line can be and Series 7 might be my favorite. Let's take a closer look at this rather handsome figure, shall we? He looks so familiar!

12 Days Until Halloween!


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Halloween Mood Music: "March of the Hooded Shadows" by Lex Wahl

Here's another composition from Lex Wahl who hosts the incredible podcast Anything Ghost. Lex puts out some incredible music and you should check all of his stuff out! This definitely makes me want to walk through an abandoned house in the countryside looking for ghosts; how about you?

Minifigure Review: Mera from DC Comics Lil Bombshells by Cryptozoic Entertainment

  Today I'm looking at the Lil Bombshells version of one of the most powerful and underappreciated DC characters: Mera. I'm really excited that Mera is going to be appearing in Justice League (played by Amber Heard) because I like the character and feel like she just doesn't get the recognition she deserves. I love the Bombshells statue of Mera (it's one of my favorites, actually) but I also appreciate that Cryptozoic did something different with this version of Mera. Rather than a pinup beauty at the beach, Mera is now wearing sailor's garb and carrying a trident. Pretty cool, right? Let's take a brief look at this neat minifigure after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: The Wolfman Monster from The Real Ghostbusters: Monsters by Kenner

  Ever since me and my daughter watched the recent Goosebumps movie, wolves and werewolves have been massively popular in our house. Unfortunately, there aren't many werewolf movies that are appropriate for a child (the only other movies containing werewolves we have watched together have been Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman, the 1941 film The Wolf Man, Mad Monster Party, and The Nightmare Before Christmas) so werewolf toys are always a hot commodity. My daughter loves this toy and I couldn't be more thrilled: I loved this toy as a kid, too! The Wolfman Monster is easily my favorite figure in the Monsters subset of The Real Ghostbusters line. He just fits in so well! Let's take a closer look at this guy after the break...

13 Days Until Halloween


Monday, October 17, 2016

Classic Hokey Halloween Horror: Fruity Yummy Mummy Cereal Review


  This review is from 2013. And we still haven't seen a rerelease of this cereal yet. That makes me sad.  

   So, Fruity Yummy Mummy was apparently released in 1987 and discontinued in 1993. I don't remember it at all. What bothers me here is that I could have spent an additional 6 years of my life consuming Fruity Yummy Mummy, which I'm going to come out and declare as my favorite breakfast cereal of all time. Ever. Period. It's an orange cream flavored cereal (one of my favorite flavor combinations) and after just one bite I was hooked. I have never, ever, ever tasted a cereal as robust and vivid as Fruity Yummy Mummy. Seriously, if General Mills will agree to put this out year round from now on, I will happily offer to dress up as the Fruity Yummy Mummy and serve as the mascot for any commercials they might want to put out. This cereal is righteous. More details, gushing, and marshmallows after the break....

Halloween Mood Music: "Midnight in Montgomery" by Alan Jackson


 I try to offer some diversity in my selections of Halloween Mood Music and today you're getting a country song. It's Midnight in Montgomery, a 1992 Alan Jackson song about a visit to the grave of country legend Hank Williams. It's a song with a very chilling and haunting atmosphere and it paints an incredible picture. If you like it, you might want to give some of Hank Williams' own songs a try, too. There's some good stuff there and it might good company on a chilly October night...

Road to Rogue One: Darth Vader [Bespin] #158 from Pop! Star Wars by Funko

 Today as part of the Road to Rogue One I'm looking at the first of two exclusive Funko Pop! figures included with the September crate. The latest crate's theme is "The Death Star" and you get a nice assortment of items adorned with various Imperial characters and symbols. Being a hardcore Star Wars fan that likes Funko Pop! figures with a child who loves Star Wars, this crate is always a good value for me. This time, for $25 bucks, I got two new exclusive Pop! vinyls (the second is Tarkin!), a Star Wars t-shirt, a patch and pin, and a Death Star luggage tag (I'm contemplating putting the luggage tag on my little one's backpack so if she loses it it will have an easily recognizable ID on it). There's really some cool stuff in these and I think the value is definitely there. Want to check out this new, exclusive Darth Vader Pop!? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Lives: Skeleton from Monster in My Pocket by Matchbox

 Today on 31 Days of Toy Terror Lives I'm looking at one of the most basic monsters there is: A plain old Skeleton! Seriously, does it get any simpler than this? He's just a pile of bones? The Skeleton may very well be an army builder in the Monster in My Pocket universe. He's fairly nondescript and has a low point value (only 5 points- these guys all had different values attached to them as part of a game) meaning he's basically cannon fodder. If the good guys come looking for the Phantom of the Opera or the Beast, they're probably going to plow their way through plenty of skeletons first. I had the chance to pick up the Skeleton in a few different colors but I opted for red. It just seemed to fit the idea that these are some old, bloody bones. Ready for a closer look at the Skeleton? Then join me after the break...

14 Days Until Halloween!


Sunday, October 16, 2016

Halloween Mood Music: "Paint it Black" by The Rolling Stones



"Paint it Black" isn't really associated with Halloween but there is something about the song that's undeniably menacing and a bit creepy. Released on the 1966 album Aftermath, this is a great rock classic that should add just a bit of blackness to your October evening.

Action Figure Review: Mutant Leader (The Dark Knight Returns) from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

    Wouldn't you agree that the Mutant Leader from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is monstrous enough that he could be included in 31 Days of Toy Terror? Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse may not be as impressive as Hasbro's efforts on Marvel Legends this year, but it's tough to argue that they haven't given us a pretty cool series of offerings this year. While I just reviewed one of Mezco's One:12 Collective Mutant Leaders a month or so ago, I also wanted to pick up Mattel's version. Mattel has really done a nice job releasing some cool Dark Knight Returns inspired figures and I wanted this version of the mutant leader to go along with them. Ready for a closer look at a creepy Batman villain who seems to be more monster than man? Then join me after the break...